Homeless Teen Mother Defies All Odds and Graduates Class Valedictorian

Despite facing enormous challenges early on in her high school career, Trameka Pope graduated from Chicago's Wendell Phillips Academy High School as the valedictorian.


Trameka gave birth to a baby girl before her freshman year in high school, but she carried on to make a better life for the two of them.
“I didn’t give up,” Pope said. “I pushed myself hard. And my baby motivated me every day because I wanted to provide for her and I also didn’t want to be a statistic.”

Trameka persevered. She was a member of the cheerleading squad and National Honor Society, took courses at a community college while working nights to support herself.

This young woman is a true inspiration. Congratulations, Trameka!



Photo: thegrio.com

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